Window-screen.



No. s4|,242. Patqntefl Ian. 9, I900.

n, m. SPENCER.

WINDOW SCREEN.

(Application filed M52. 6, 1599.)

(No Model.)

UNITED RICHARD M. SPENCER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

\NlNDOW-SCREEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,242, dated January 9, 190C.

Application filed March 6, 1899. Serial No. 708,029. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD M. SPENCER, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window- Screens; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in window-screens, and more particularly to extendible screens; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The principal objects in the present invention are, first, to produce a two-part or expansible screen the thickness of the combined sections of which is reduced to a minimum to prevent the formation of an opening where the screen comes in contact with the inclined bottom rail of a window-sash; second, to provide the slidable section with a continuous and smooth surface where it rests in contact with the other section, and, third,-

to reduce the cost of manufacture.

In the drawings, Figure 1 isa perspective view of a screen constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the half of the screen having the guides thereon. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the manner of clamping the gauze in the frame. Fig. 4 is an end view of the strip as used for the frame in this construction.

To facilitate the description of this invention with reference to the drawings, the letters A and A will be used to designate the strips forming the sides and ends of the frame holding the gauze X, while the letter B will be used to designate the guide-strips rigidly secured to one of the frames and acting as guides in sliding the frames one upon the other.

The method followed in constructingscreens in accordance with this invention is, first, to place across the end of a piece of gauze, inclosing the edges thereof, the strips A second, placing across the top inclosing the remaining edges of the gauze and the ends of the end pieces A, so as to give an uninterrupted surface on the horizontal edges of the frame, and, third, to solder or rivet the cor- 11ers of the frame where the strips A A join. The whole frame is now run between rollers or otherwise compressed to reduce its thickness, render it more rigid, and clamp the gauze more securely. The uninterrupted surface of the horizontal edges of the frame above mentioned reduces the liability to jam or otherwise interfere with the free motion of extending or lengthening the frame of the screen.

The screen when completed consists of two or more frames constructed, as described, identical in form with the exception that to one of the frames are secured the guides B, consisting of a strip of sheet metal bent in U form and secured to the opposite horizontal edges of the frame by having one of its extensions soldered or otherwise secured thereto to act as guides for the sliding frame in the extension of the complete frame to suit the various dimensions of windows.

It is obvious that constructed as above described the number of parts are reduced to a minimum, and making the plurality frames of 'which the completed screen is composed duplicated a considerable amount of labor is saved in handling.

In constructing the frames the material found to offer the most advantages is tinned sheet-iron, which resists the action of the atmosphere and readily takes solder, which is much cheaper than riveting the parts together.

All the parts of this screen being of metal, it is found more durable and secure, as it is not liable to warp at the junction of the screens, permitting the entrance of flies and other insects which it is designed to keep out. Screens of this class into which wood enters as a material of construction have been found to warp or swell in damp weather, so that they are inoperative and undesirable in many respects.

The frame-strips A A above referred to, and illustrated in the drawings at Fig. 4, are

formed of sheet metal bent upon itself and the edges turned in to strengthen it and to screens are composed slide so closely together there is no room between sufficient to permit the entrance of even a very small insect. F u rther, this thinness presents a narrow line to the lower rail of the window-sash which bears evenly along the entire upper edge of the screen, which is not true ofthe old forms. This compactness presents a more sightly appearance and saves a great deal of space in packing, shipping, and storing.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is- In a window-screen, the combination of two frames, the ends and sides of which are formed from sheet metal bent upon itself,

and the ends of the vertical sides being inclosed within the fold of the horizontal sides to constitute a continuous surface on the said horizontal sides; and U-shaped pieces rigidly secured to the outside of the upper and lower horizontal binding edges of one frame, and adapted to extend over and receive the corresponding horizontal binding edges of the other frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of December, 1898.

RICHARD M. SPENCER. \Vitnesses BALDWIN VALE, JOHN P. JACKSON. 

